LOCAL NEWS
Tuesday begins with two fatal wrecks on Utah roads
HOLLADAY, Utah — Tuesday was a hard day on Utah roads with two fatal wrecks happening within hours of each other.
The first deadly crash happened on northbound Interstate 15 near the Beck Street onramp before a fatal crash between a car and a semi-truck closed Highland Drive at 4500 South.
The I-15 crash involved two cars and a motorcycle. State troopers say the motorcyclist was entering I-15 from U.S. Highway 89 when the driver lost control and hit a barrier before overturning into traffic, where they were struck by two cars.
Northbound I-15 was closed for several hours Tuesday before lanes reopened around 5 a.m.
Motorcyclist killed in NB I-15 crash in Davis County; lanes reopened
The motorcyclist was killed and died at the scene. Speed is being investigated as a contributor to the crash.
Tuesday marked day 26 of the 100 Deadliest Days — Memorial Day to Labor Day — a time when road fatalities tend to spike in Utah.
Another fatal crash unfolded on Tuesday morning in Holladay when a car traveling southbound on Highland Drive did not stop and struck a Coca-Cola semi-truck, according to police.
“The driver of the Coke truck says he thought she was going to stop for the light that had just turned, but did not,” said Sgt. Melody Cutler with the Unified Police Department.
The car went underneath the semi-truck and had its roof torn off, with the rest of the vehicle stopping about 100 yards down the road.
The driver of the car, who police believe to be a 74-year-old female, did not survive.
A fatal crash Tuesday morning in Holladay. Police said a car traveling southbound did not stop and hit a Coca-Cola semi-truck.
Full details on #KSLTV at noon pic.twitter.com/xVjrl7wryJ
— Derek Petersen (@Derek_Photog) July 5, 2022
“For that kind of impact to occur and travel distance, there was probably definitely a speed factor in this accident,” said Cutler.
The driver of the Coca-Cola semi-truck, who police say is a 49-year-old male, survived.
Police said the collision analysis reconstruction team will be investigating what could have aided in the crash.
According to public safety crash data, there have been around 150 deadly crashes on Utah’s roads.
Authorities are adding to their warning and pleading with drivers to slow down.
“We’re seeing it all over the place. Drivers going, and it’s not small speeds. I mean, we’re not talking five to ten over. People are speeding excessively… we’re begging you to please slow down out there. This is not worth it. It’s not worth it, you taking your life, or you taking someone else’s life. That’s something you’re going to have to live with for the rest of your life,” said Cutler.
